Brazos Bend

We took the boys out to Brazos Bend to enjoy some of the beautiful weather we've been having.  It was a lot of fun!  I haven't been out there for awhile, but we'll be going back more often.  It's very pretty and there are a lot of great trails to try out. 

We enjoyed a picnic by 40 acre lake and a playground before hitting the trails.

Max loves to have new things to look at, so he was very happy!

Kyle and Luke had fun on the old school playground.  Apparently this style of playground is completely unsafe, and some sort of death trap. 

I didn't ever get hurt on one, and so far the boys seem to be coping.  =)

Then we were off to explore the lake and look for some alligators.

We didn't have to look very far before we spotted the first one. 

We also spotted a lot of gorgeous birds.  This blue heron was beautiful, and we were able to get very close to it. 

Of course we also saw another alligator shortly thereafter.  See how it's opening its mouth?  That's how alligators say, "Listen to your wife and step back a little!" 

Luckily no one was harmed in the making of this blog.  The kids and I were a good 30 feet back the whole time, but Jeff is quite the daredevil. 

Anyways, after that excitement we headed for the nature center to meet some alligators under more controlled circumstances. 

Luke really liked the exhibits, especially making the alligator and crocodile mouths open and close. 

Turkeys....

Kyle and Luke petting a baby alligator.

After our nature center fun, we stopped for a snack and then went for another quick hike.

It was a lovely day!

Sunday.... (Updated)

Sunday we celebrated Children's Sunday at church, and Kyle participated by writing a prayer and reading it during the service.  He did a terrific job, and I was VERY proud of him.  He wasn't nervous about talking in front of the entire congregation at all!  I think Jeff and I were more nervous about it than he was. 

Can you believe he's only eight? 

Later that day, we went to my Aunt Barbara's to celebrate her birthday and visit with family.  Kyle and Luke had a blast playing chase and hide and seek with cousins Riley and Bennett. 

Later on the kids carved pumpkins with Jay, unfortunately my batteries went out before that.  Hopefully I can update with some of Grampa's pictures later.  =) 

We all took a LONG nap when we got home. 

*UPDATE*

Here are some pics from the pumpkin festivities

Kyle carving his pumpkin with Riley and Bennett

Jeff and Max checking everything out

Max hanging out with his Grams

Jeff's Birthday at the Beach

We really like to drive down to the beach.  Jeff recently had a birthday and we celebrated in our typical fashion.  Pancakes for breakfast, trip to the beach, and a special birthday dinner. 

Happy Birthday!

Kyle's Bible

Kyle is a third grader this year, and he received his Bible at church a few weeks ago.  He's very proud of it, and he has been reading to us a lot.  We're so proud of him! 

Silly Boys around the house

Luke has started his school year at Mother's Day Out. He loves his teachers and is having a great time at school.  Here he is ready for his first day. 

Kyle is doing well with his studies also.  He's working on measurement in math right now and studying the Ancient Greeks in history. 

Max has a great time watching everything around him. 

He's trying to talk and crawl, but he's not quite there yet.  He started saying Mama today!   He's so sweet.

Finally, here are some of Kyle and Luke's Lego creations. 

Max's First Teeth- by Kyle

This picture of Max is from when his first teeth were starting to come in. Max likes to smile when others are being silly.

That happens a lot around here, for some reason!
"Ha, ha, ha," says Max.

Ham and Egg Special Please!! by Kyle

This is my dog Charlie being silly at the table on the deck. He looks like he's asking if he can order some food. He likes to sit in the chair, just like a human being.

Luke, Charlie and I are at the table, laughing at Charlie because he was sitting at the table. I love to swing and jump off in midair!

Look up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! No, it's Kyle!
Luke and I like to slide down the slide together. We call this Double Digit!

This is us at the bottom of the slide doing Double Digit.

I have fun playing in the back yard with my brother and the dogs.

Also, look close and you'll notice I'm missing a tooth!

Art Museum favorites by Kyle

Yesterday my Mom, Max and I went to the art museum. Here are some of my favorite parts.

This tunnel goes under the street and changes colors. When we were there it was purple and red. What I enjoy about it is that we can go through a tunnel, from one end of the street to the other, underground, without having to open any doors. And it's fun.

This is my favorite painting at the museum. It is called Number 6 by Jackson Pollock. I like it because it makes me feel wild, free, and calm at the same time. I think it's neat that he painted it while it was on the floor. I like that it's all different colors, in splatters, and that Pollock was the first person to make something like this.

This is my favorite stained glass window in the whole world. I like the fact that it was made with lots of pieces of glass layered on top of each other. This window makes me feel free out in the woods and the wilderness.

We saw lots of really good statues and paintings at the art museum. And Max had a good nap.

Ghost Deer and more

This is Kyle's first blog post, and he'd love to hear your comments.

At Gram's house Ghost Deer came and watched us.

While we were at Memaw's house we sat outside and took pictures of each other.

We also swam at Big Rock!This is a picture of me, Mom, my brothers, and Memaw.


This is Memaw's house. I like to visit Memaw here.

This is a picture of Luke and I on the porch. We were playing legos.We went to Startz Cafe for breakfast. Here is a picture I took of Mom and Max.

Here is a picture of Dad with Max.

I'm great at entertaining Max in the car!

July and August pictures

It's hard to believe, but baby Max is already six months old!

He celebrated with some oatmeal in his new highchair.

Kyle and Dad were there to help.

So far he's sampled the oatmeal, applesauce, and sweet potato (his favorite).

Kyle bought plastic swords for himself and Luke, and they've been dueling all over the backyard.

Mom and Dad were really proud of Kyle for including his little brother in the fun.

It was even voluntary! No injuries so far.

Max loves the exersaucer

Kyle took both these pictures of Luke playing.

Mom, Luke and Max at Grandma Bonnie's house.

Jeff and Max with Grandpa Douglas